Maine OUI Accident Attorney

Maine OUI Accidents Defense Lawyer

Driving while impaired can make it far more challenging to correctly operate a vehicle. Those that have been drinking may be involved in a car accident that causes damage to their property and the property of others. Sometimes those responsible or involved in an accident may be suspected of drinking, whether or not it is true. Most people are charged with DUI after being stopped by police or at a roadside checkpoint. Many DUI arrests also occurred after an accident. When police respond to the scene of an accident, they will often evaluate all drivers involved for drug or alcohol impairment.

Since there is a high occurrence of accidents among drunk drivers, law enforcement can become overzealous and arrest those that are innocent. Testing done by officers is not error proof and being in a stressful situation can make it hard for suspects to pass field sobriety tests. A DUI with an accident is not included in the list of aggravating factors in Maine like it is in some states, however, that does not mean that it will not be considered when determining the extent of a charge.

Penalties for a Maine OUI Accident

Each year alcohol related accidents cost about $37 billion, adding to the importance of law enforcement ending the issue. Property can pertain to the car of another person involved, or even a home when a driver veers of the road and comes crashing through a gate. Damage to property will add complication to an already complex matter, causing those involved to have to deal with both charges and the cost of repair to property. Depending on insurance coverage, some or all of the cost may be covered. An accident can also lead to a fatality which can leave those accused facing charges for vehicular manslaughter. When a fatal car accident occurs, those involved in it will need to submit to testing of their blood alcohol content.

Maine OUI and Property Damage

In Maine, there is no specific penalty that applies to causing property damage because of intoxication. Instead, you can face separate charges for OUI and for the damage you caused. A regular OUI is a Class D offense and can be upgraded to a Class C if you have had 2 or more prior convictions in the past decade. The minimum penalties for OUI include:

90 days of driver's license suspension

A minimum fine of $500

48 hours of jail time if an aggravating factors are present

If you cause an accident or any sort of property damage, you could also face charges for Driving to Endanger. Also known as reckless driving, driving to endanger penalties can result in the following:

30 days to 2 years of driver's license suspension; or

A minimum fine of $575

When damage to property occurs, you may also have to deal with your insurance company. Damage to other vehicles or public or private property will require repair. If you are convicted of driving under the influence, this will likely be used against you in order for the other party to get compensation. Not only will this make your insurance rates go up, you could be held liable for an accident that was not your fault.

Maine OUI and Injury

The most serious accidents will result in injury or even death. Maine law does specify additional penalties for drivers who are intoxicated and cause injury to other drivers or passengers.

For an accident that results in serious injury, you will face Class C OUI charges. For an accident that results in the loss of life, you will face Class B charges. The penalties for these charges include:

Class C: A minimum of 6 months of jail time, 6 years of license suspension and a fine of $2,100.

Class B: A minimum of 6 months of jail time, 10 years of license suspension and a fine of $2,100

Maine OUI Accident Attorney

There are several defenses that can be sued to fight OUI charges. If your attorney can challenge that you were intoxicated, the accident you are charged with causing may be ruled just that, an accident. One of the best ways we fight OUI offenses is by challenging the sobriety test results. Our lead DUI defense lawyer is certified as a Breath Alcohol Technician meaning he is qualified to teach police how to use sobriety testing equipment. He knows how these tests can fail and how errors can be made. In most DUI arrests, the sobriety test results are the strongest evidence that the state has against you. If your DUI attorney is able to place doubt on the validity of those results, the charges against you will become very weak.

Call us now to find out more about how we can use our experience to help you. Being charged with a DUI is serious enough. If you are facing charges of causing an accident and driving under the influence.

Recommendations

My OUI and criminal speeding charges brought a great deal of stress and hardship to not only myself but my entire family. Having both of the charges against me dismissed was an absolute godsend. Once dropped, it felt as though a dark cloud that had been looming over my head had been lifted. I am ...Read On

Bill Bly did a magnificent job collecting evidence and building leverage with the DA's office that allowed us to plead an OUI down to a lesser charge. Not only was he very knowledgeable about Maine law, but he also understood the personalities of both the prosecutor and the judge. In a time of ...Read On

First and for most I'd like to thank you very much for sorting out the snowmobile OUI bs for me. The outcome could not have been more desirable and the process with you couldn't have been better. On a professional note I give an A+ and will gladly refer you to other unfortunate souls that step in...Read On

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Client Review

“Bill shared each and every Pro/Con of the situation that I was facing. The entire court process was quite lengthy and stressful to my wife and I both, but at it’s conclusion Bill was able to have my OUIDISMISSSED and pled to a far more favorable charge…I would recommend Mr. Bly to anyone who is up against a seemingly insurmountable mountain to climb. Thank you Mr. Bly for securing my life and future.”- Vince

What distinguishes our Firm from the numerous law firms throughout the state is that we genuinely care about the well-being of our clients. The staff and attorneys of WTB LAW ensure that every client receives hands-on and personalized attention throughout the life of their case.